The Professional Recyclers of Pennsylvania (PROP), headquartered in Bellwood, Blair County, received the inaugural Outstanding Recycling Organization of the Year award from the National Recycling Coalition (NRC) August 30th. The award was presented during NRC’s annual recycling congress in San Francisco, California.

PROP is Pennsylvania’s association of public and private sector recycling, composting and solid waste professionals. It represents over 450 members statewide and was incorporated in 1991. The organization employs six full time staff members and is governed by a 19-member board of directors elected by its membership.

PROP was singled out for its efforts in advancing Pennsylvania’s recycling and composting industries. The organization uses a combination of education, legislative advocacy and outreach to promote recycling and composting in the Commonwealth.

“We are truly honored to receive this award,” PROP President Chuck Raudenbush, said. “Our membership, our board and our staff are to be commended for making PROP a leader in the recycling world.”

In his acceptance speech, Executive Director John Frederick echoed Raudenbush’s sentiments. “This award is truly one for the entire organization. We would not be receiving this award if it weren’t for the work of our incredible staff, our visionary board of directors, our hard working committees and our dedicated members.”

Working closely with the Department of Environmental Protection and Penn State Altoona, PROP offers a recycling professional certification program. This program is designed to advance professionalism within the recycling industry by providing training on a variety of topics across the state. The program currently has an enrollment of 700; over 100 professionals have achieved designation as a certified recycling official. An online certification course will debut in September.

In addition to its certification program, the organization also publishes a bi-annual magazine, The Pennsylvania Recycler, and holds an annual training conference that attracts over 200 recycling and composting professionals. PROP’s 15th annual conference will be held at the Penn Stater Hotel and Conference Center, July 27-29, 2005.

The association maintains close ties with other organizations in the state. PROP was a founding member of Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful, the Commonwealth’s newly-created affiliate to Keep America Beautiful, and has worked closely on a project to abate illegal dumping with PA CleanWays and the Pennsylvania Environmental Council.

9/3/2004